Susan F. Wood

Accessibility of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) ☆

OBJECTIVE(S) This study examines the on-site availability of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods, defined here as intrauterine devices and contraceptive implants, at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). We also describe factors associated with on-site availability and specific challenges and barriers to providing on-site access to LARC as reported by FQHCs. STUDY DESIGN An original survey of 423 FQHC organizations was fielded in 2011. RESULTS Over two thirds of FQHCs offer on-site availability of intrauterine devices yet only 36% of FQHCs report that they offer on-site contraceptive implants. Larger FQHCs and FQHCs receiving Title X Family Planning program funding are more likely to provide on-site access to LARC methods. Other organizational and patient characteristics are associated with the on-site availability of LARC methods, though this relationship varies by the type of method. The most commonly reported barriers to providing on-site access to LARC methods are related to the cost of stocking or supplying the drug and/or device, the perceived lack of staffing and training, and the unique needs of special populations. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that patients seeking care in small FQHC organizations, FQHCs with limited dedicated family planning funding and FQHCs located in rural areas may have fewer choices and limited access to LARC methods on-site. IMPLICATIONS Despite the presumed widespread coverage of contraceptives for women as a result of provisions in the Affordable Care Act, there is a limited understanding of how FQHCs may redesign their practices to provide on-site availability of LARC methods. This study sheds light on the current state of practice and challenges related to providing LARC methods in FQHC settings.

Scope of family planning services available in Federally Qualified Health Centers

OBJECTIVES Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are a major and growing source of primary care for low-income women of reproductive age; however, only limited knowledge exists on the scope of family planning care they provide and the mechanisms for delivery of these essential reproductive health services, including family planning. In this paper, we report on the scope of services provided at FQHCs including on-site provision, prescription only and referral options for the range of contraceptive methods. STUDY DESIGN An original survey of 423 FQHC organizations was fielded in 2011. RESULTS Virtually all FQHCs reported that they provide at least one contraceptive method (99.8%) at one or more clinical sites. A large majority (87%) of FQHCs report that their largest primary care site prescribes oral contraceptives plus one additional method category of contraception, with oral contraception and injectables being the most commonly available methods. Substantial variation is seen among other methods such as intrauterine devices (IUDs), contraceptive implants, the patch, vaginal ring and barrier methods. For all method categories, Title-X-funded sites are more likely to provide the method, though, even in these sites, IUDs and implants are much less likely to be provided than other methods. CONCLUSION There is clearly wide variability in the delivery of family planning services at FQHCs in terms of methods available, level of counseling, and provision of services on-site or through prescription or referral. Barriers to provision likely include cost to patients and/or additional training to providers for some methods, such as IUDs and implants, but these barriers should not limit on-site availability of inexpensive methods such as oral contraceptives. IMPLICATIONS With the expansion of contraceptive coverage under private insurance as part of preventive health services for women, along with expanded coverage for the currently uninsured, and the growth of FQHCs as the source of care for women of reproductive age, it is critical that women seeking family planning services at FQHCs have access to a wide range of contraceptive options. Our study both highlights the essential role of FQHCs in providing family planning services and also identifies remaining gaps in the provision of contraception in FQHC settings.

Embedding Concepts of Sex and Gender Health Differences into Medical Curricula

Sex, a biological variable, and gender, a cultural variable, define the individual and affect all aspects of disease prevention, development, diagnosis, progression, and treatment. Sex and gender are essential elements of individualized medicine. However, medical education rarely considers such topics beyond the physiology of reproduction. To reduce health care disparities and to provide optimal, cost-effective medical care for individuals, concepts of sex and gender health need to become embedded into education and training of health professionals. In September 2012, Mayo Clinic hosted a 2-day workshop bringing together leading experts from 13 U.S. schools of medicine and schools of public health, Health Resources and Services Administration Office of Womens Health (HRSA OWH), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Research on Womens Health (ORWH), and the Canadian Institute of Health and Gender. The purpose of this workshop was to articulate the need to integrate sex- and gender-based content into medical education and training, to identify gaps in current medical curricula, to consider strategies to embed concepts of sex and gender health into health professional curricula, and to identify existing resources to facilitate and implement change. This report summarizes these proceedings, recommendations, and action items from the workshop.

Taking a Giant Step Toward Women's Heart Health: Finding Policy Solutions to Unanswered Research Questions.

Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota Department of Health Policy and Management, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC Department of Cardiology-Mieres, Hofstra North ShoreLIJ School of Medicine, Hempstead, New York WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women With Heart Disease, Washington, DC e Emory University School of Medicine, Emory Heart and Vascular Center, Atlanta, Georgia

Influence of pharmaceutical marketing on Medicare prescriptions in the District of Columbia

Importance Gifts from pharmaceutical companies are believed to influence prescribing behavior, but few studies have addressed the association between industry gifts to physicians and drug costs, prescription volume, or preference for generic drugs. Even less research addresses the effect of gifts on the prescribing behavior of nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and podiatrists. Objective To analyze the association between gifts provided by pharmaceutical companies to individual prescribers in Washington DC and the number of prescriptions, cost of prescriptions, and proportion of branded prescriptions for each prescriber. Design Gifts data from the District of Columbia’s (DC) AccessRx program and the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments program were analyzed with claims data from the CMS 2013 Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data. Setting Washington DC, 2013 Participants Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, podiatrists, and other licensed Medicare Part D prescribers who participated in Medicare Part D (a Federal prescription drug program that covers patients over age 65 or who are disabled). Exposure(s) Gifts to healthcare prescribers (including cash, meals, and ownership interests) from pharmaceutical companies. Main outcomes and measures Average number of Medicare Part D claims per prescriber, number of claims per patient, cost per claim, and proportion of branded claims. Results In 2013, 1,122 (39.1%) of 2,873 Medicare Part D prescribers received gifts from pharmaceutical companies totaling

Access to Removal of Long-acting Reversible Contraceptive Methods Is an Essential Component of High-Quality Contraceptive Care

3.9 million in 2013. Compared to non-gift recipients, gift recipients prescribed 2.3 more claims per patient, prescribed medications costing

Advancing Women's Heart Health through Policy and Science: Highlights from the First National Policy and Science Summit on Women's Cardiovascular Health

50 more per claim, and prescribed 7.8% more branded drugs. In six specialties (General Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Urology, Ophthalmology, and Dermatology), gifts were associated with a significantly increased average cost of claims. For Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Ophthalmology, gifts were associated with more branded claims. Gift acceptance was associated with increased average cost per claim for PAs and NPs. Gift acceptance was also associated with higher proportion of branded claims for PAs but not NPs. Physicians who received small gifts (less than

Quality and cost of diabetes mellitus care in community health centers in the United States.

500 annually) had more expensive claims (

Turning Back the Clock on Women's Health in Medically Underserved Communities.

114 vs.

Women's health, pregnancy, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

85) and more branded claims (30.3% vs. 25.7%) than physicians who received no gifts. Those receiving large gifts (greater than